It Gets Better

[Era Might]

It's not a message about suicide or bullying, it's a message about being homosexual. It's a political message. I don't support it for that reason. I'm not necessarily against political messages, so long as you recognize that you are making one and claim it. But I don't support this particular one. (And I mean "political" in a wider sense than a political party or candidate).

Edited July 24, 2011 by Era Might

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311476143' post='2274653']
It's not a message about suicide or bullying, it's a message about being homosexual. It's a political message. I don't support it for that reason. I'm not necessarily against political messages, so long as you recognize that you are making one and claim it. But I don't support this particular one. (And I mean "political" in a wider sense than a political party or candidate).
[/quote]

Wait, could you clarify this a bit for me? I don't understand how one can claim that the "it gets better" project is overtly political in nature, while simultaneously claiming that it's not ALSO about bullying. I can see how homosexuality has become a political issue, but I don't see how it's solely a political issue.

[Era Might]

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1311485202' post='2274748']
Wait, could you clarify this a bit for me? I don't understand how one can claim that the "it gets better" project is overtly political in nature, while simultaneously claiming that it's not ALSO about bullying. I can see how homosexuality has become a political issue, but I don't see how it's solely a political issue.
[/quote]
It's about bullying in the context of being a homosexual young person. Regardless of intentions, when you make a video like this you are making a political statement. I'd agree with you that it's not "solely political." It's also includes personal, moral, sociological, etc. statements.

I'm not going to get behind the video just because it's heartfelt. I'm not against making a political statement, but seeing such statements as a-political only makes me a dupe. So I do not support this video/project, even though I might agree with *some* of the sentiments expressed in it.

[kujo]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311510799' post='2274832']
It's about bullying in the context of being a homosexual young person. Regardless of intentions, when you make a video like this you are making a political statement. I'd agree with you that it's not "solely political." It's also includes personal, moral, sociological, etc. statements.

I'm not going to get behind the video just because it's heartfelt. I'm not against making a political statement, but seeing such statements as a-political only makes me a dupe. So I do not support this video/project, even though I might agree with *some* of the sentiments expressed in it.
[/quote]

I agree: making a video that has the dual purpose of a) offering words of encouragement to teenagers who might be bullied for being homosexual, and b) bring about awareness of the recent spat of bullying-related suicides involving young teens (gay or otherwise) [I]is[/I] overtly-political; however, it ought to be a non-partisan issue that everyone--regardless of their beliefs about the LGBT community-- can get behind. Remember--aside from the gay bullying issue--we are not that far removed from the suicide of the young girl after she was bullied and duped via a Myspace profile set up by the mother of one of her neighbors. Victims of cyber-bullying will also hear the "It Gets Better" message, which I believe is an important one.

Yeah, bullying has gone on since the dawn of time. And no, there's not much you can do to stop it. But if we can just alleviate the stress brought on by external pressures of one child, I believe it's worth it. You never know what effect that message could have.

[Era Might]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1311511844' post='2274835']however, it ought to be a non-partisan issue that everyone--regardless of their beliefs about the LGBT community-- can get behind.[/quote]
I disagree with this but I agree with this:

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1311511844' post='2274835']You never know what effect that message could have.
[/quote]
What I don't like is the assumption that I have to get behind something...that's partly why it's an essentially political statement, because it's about "getting behind" it. It's not just this video. "Breast Cancer Awareness," "AIDS Awareness," and a whole lot of other things are pushed to use under the pretense of being a-political, when they are most certainly not a-political.

So I agree...you never know what effect this message could have, and hopefully it does some good. But it will have to do it without my support. It's their cause/project, not mine...I am under no obligation to "get behind" it.

Edited July 24, 2011 by Era Might

[Brother Adam]

However, there is nothing in the video itself that is opposed to Catholic morality. Obviously that comes out later in the homosexual movement, but since it is what 'everyone' is talking about (bullying) it is worth addressing and redirecting (as Father Z does all the time).

[kujo]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311510799' post='2274832']
It's about bullying in the context of being a homosexual young person. Regardless of intentions, when you make a video like this you are making a political statement. I'd agree with you that it's not "solely political." It's also includes personal, moral, sociological, etc. statements.

I'm not going to get behind the video just because it's heartfelt. I'm not against making a political statement, but seeing such statements as a-political only makes me a dupe. So I do not support this video/project, even though I might agree with *some* of the sentiments expressed in it.
[/quote]

I agree: making a video that has the dual purpose of a) offering words of encouragement to teenagers who might be bullied for being homosexual, and b) bring about awareness of the recent spat of bullying-related suicides involving young teens (gay or otherwise) [I]is[/I] overtly-political; however, it ought to be a non-partisan issue that everyone--regardless of their beliefs about the LGBT community-- can get behind. Remember--aside from the gay bullying issue--we are not that far removed from the suicide of the young girl after she was bullied and duped via a Myspace profile set up by the mother of one of her neighbors. Victims of cyber-bullying will also hear the "It Gets Better" message, which I believe is an important one.

Yeah, bullying has gone on since the dawn of time. And no, there's not much you can do to stop it. But if we can just alleviate the stress brought on by external pressures of one child, I believe it's worth it. You never know what effect that message could have.

[MissScripture]

I really don't think people get nicer. I think we just have more ability to chose the people we surround ourselves with. But there are still plenty of people who are jerks, and a lot of people stuck in a high school mentality. And some people do get nicer. But some people also become bigger jerks than they used to be, so it's sort of a wash. So, yes, it does get better, but not because people get nicer.

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311510799' post='2274832']
It's about bullying in the context of being a homosexual young person. Regardless of intentions, when you make a video like this you are making a political statement. I'd agree with you that it's not "solely political." It's also includes personal, moral, sociological, etc. statements.

I'm not going to get behind the video just because it's heartfelt. I'm not against making a political statement, but seeing such statements as a-political only makes me a dupe. So I do not support this video/project, even though I might agree with *some* of the sentiments expressed in it.
[/quote]

Thanks.


[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1311521585' post='2274922']
I really don't think people get nicer. I think we just have more ability to chose the people we surround ourselves with. But there are still plenty of people who are jerks, and a lot of people stuck in a high school mentality. And some people do get nicer. But some people also become bigger jerks than they used to be, so it's sort of a wash. So, yes, it does get better, but not because people get nicer.[/quote]

Well, yes, I don't think people really get nicer - but I think people can get to the point where you just don't care about them anymore. Of course that doesn't always happen, like with someone who doesn't leave an abusive relationship. But when you get older, you stop "giving" bullies personal power over your sense of self-worth. In high school you can't really choose who you're going to be around, in college and onwards you can. And then in situations where you can (ie the workplace) there are regulations against those behaviors.

[Debra Little]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1311307769' post='2273534']
it doesn't. life smells of elderberries. cheers.
[/quote]


it does get better but it takes a lot of prayer and hard work. i
am living proof of this,.

[4588686]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311510799' post='2274832']
It's about bullying in the context of being a homosexual young person. Regardless of intentions, when you make a video like this you are making a political statement. I'd agree with you that it's not "solely political." It's also includes personal, moral, sociological, etc. statements.

I'm not going to get behind the video just because it's heartfelt. I'm not against making a political statement, but seeing such statements as a-political only makes me a dupe. So I do not support this video/project, even though I might agree with *some* of the sentiments expressed in it.
[/quote]

Be specific. Exactly what is the political message?

[Ash Wednesday]

Bullying a kid because they're gay or you think they're gay is never acceptable. I agree with Brother Adam, bullies have a place...in the confessional. And it's good to see support given to bullied kids that need to know that suicide or despair isn't an option and there's a life out there better than the one they're currently living. But one concern I do have is whether or not there's an underlying agenda going on here and to what extent the gay rights movement would hijack a well-meaning anti-bullying campaign and twist it into supporting another morally problematic agenda at large. It's already being done -- this idea that not agreeing with gay marriage or acting on the same sex inclinations makes you a "hater" and a bully.

Perhaps it's already being done but it's my hope that the campaign would encompass more than just being bullied for being gay, when youth get bullied for just about anything -- being poor, fat, clumsy, shy, having losers for parents, being a different race, religion...a time will probably come when kids in the west get bullied in school for being Christian. Will there be celebrities rallying for them as well?

Edited July 25, 2011 by Ash Wednesday

[Era Might]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1311624096' post='2275828']
Be specific. Exactly what is the political message?
[/quote]
That homosexuality is normal in society (and hence it "gets better" to be a homosexual adult). This is clear from "It Gets Better" website homepage:

[quote]Many LGBT youth can't picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults. They can't imagine a future for themselves. So let's show them what our lives are like, let's show them what the future may hold in store for them.[/quote]
That's the implicit statement, that "it gets better" when you're a homosexual adult and can take your place in an "open" homosexual community (as opposed to the artificial and forced community that young people are forced into in schools).

But to amend my own post, I would prefer to say "political statement" rather than "political message." "Statement," I think, is broader, and more closely expresses what I was saying. "Message" makes it sound like there's something secretly being communicated (like a propaganda film). That's not what I mean. They're not hiding anything. I think they're very clear on what they are trying to convey.

Edited July 25, 2011 by Era Might

[Era Might]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' timestamp='1311626008' post='2275843']But one concern I do have is whether or not there's an underlying agenda going on here and to what extent the gay rights movement would hijack a well-meaning anti-bullying campaign and twist it into supporting another morally problematic agenda at large.
[/quote]
I don't know who runs the "It Gets Better" project, but having worked for a similar website (with different subject matter, obviously) I don't trust pretty much anyone online. The company I worked for was a company...its website was part of making money, although it also had a political/news purpose. The website was one "brand" among the company's other websites (all geared around the same subject). There was nothing directly "deceitful" about this, but it opened my eyes that even news/blog sites that are considered "reputable" can have monetary and political agendas beyond just what they post. I wouldn't be surprised if the "It Gets Better" project is funded by some larger political group active in public policy and electoral initiatives related to homosexuality.

Edited July 25, 2011 by Era Might

[4588686]

[quote name='Era Might' timestamp='1311627461' post='2275850']
That homosexuality is normal in society (and hence it "gets better" to be a homosexual adult). This is clear from "It Gets Better" website homepage:


That's the implicit statement, that "it gets better" when you're a homosexual adult and can take your place in an "open" homosexual community (as opposed to the artificial and forced community that young people are forced into in schools).[/QUOTE]

Yeah. Those are factual statements. But I guess it's better for a fifteen year old gay kid to slit his wrists then, God forbid, be told (truthfully) that there are adult communities out there where he can live without being harassed for being gay.

Edited July 26, 2011 by Hasan